NEUROPROTECTIVE EFFECT OF PRETREATMENT WITH MENTHA LONGIFOLIA L. EXTRACT ON BRAIN ISCHEMIA IN THE RAT STROKE MODEL

Recent studies have suggested that Mentha longifolia L. extracts (ME) have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities. In this paper, we attempted to determine the effect of ME in a rat stroke model. Five groups of experimental animals were used (n=14); the first and second groups (control and sham, respectively) received intraperitoneal injections of daily-distilled water; the other three groups received 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg/day of ME for 21 days. Two hours after the last dose, each group was subdivided into a middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) group operated for neuropathological assessment (neurologic deficit scores, infarct volume, brain edema, and blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeability), and an intact subgroup for the assessment of brain and serum antioxidant capacity and lipid peroxidation, respectively. Pretreatment with ME resulted in a significant reduction in total infarct volume, brain water content and Evans Blue extravasation in the ischemic hemisphere compared with the control. ME in doses of 100 and 200 mg/kg/day increased brain antioxidant capability in comparison with the control. The antioxidant capacity of the serum in the 100 mg/kg/day group was significantly higher than that of the control group. The level of malondialdehyde (MDA) in the brain was significantly elevated in the control group in comparison with other pretreated groups. Moreover, ME in doses of 100 and 200 mg/kg/day reduced the MDA level in the serum. This study showed that intraperitoneal injection of ME reduced infarct volume, brain edema, blood-brain barrier permeability, as well as lipid peroxidation, and improved antioxidant power

Biological behavior study of gelatin coated PCL nanofiberous electrospun scaffolds using fibroblasts

     Scaffold design has pivotal role in tissue engineering. In the present study, We modified the surface of electrospun poly(caprolactone) (PCL) nanofibers to improve their compatibility with living medium and to show the potential application of PCL nanofibers as a artificial extracellular matrix using in tissue-engineering. PCL nanofibers were fabricated by electrospinning method. To graft gelatin on the nanofiber surface, PCL scaffolds were first treated with air plasma to introduce carboxyl groups on the surface, followed by covalent grafting of gelatin molecules. The hydrophilicity of the electrospun PCL nanofibers was significantly increased by the gas plasma treatment, as confirmed by contact angle measurements. ATR-FTIR analysis demonstrated that the chemical composition of the PCL nanofiber surface was influenced by the gelatin coating, resulting in an increase in the number of amine groups. Our results show that the modified PCL nanofibers are suitable physical properties as polymeric artificial scaffold in tissue engineering application.

Acute effects of vinegar intake on some biochemical risk factors of atherosclerosis in hypercholesterolemic rabbits

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Exaggerated postprandial spikes in blood glucose and lipids induce proportional increases in oxidative stress, which acutely trigger impairment endothelial, inflammation and increased risk of future cardiovascular events. In this research, we have investigated acute effects of vinegar intake on some of the biochemical atherosclerosis risk factors in high cholesterol fed rabbits to see if we can find a probable protective value for it.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The rabbits were randomly divided into four groups: normal diet, high cholesterol diet (%1cholesterol), %1 cholesterol with 5 ml vinegar (low dose), %1 cholesterol with 10 ml vinegar (high dose). After fasting for 12-15 hours, blood samples were taken to determine baseline values. Three hours after feeding, blood samples were collected again to investigate acute effects of vinegar intake on the measured factors.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Using high-dose vinegar with cholesterolemic diet caused significant reduce in LDL-cholesterol (LDL-C), oxidized-LDL (ox-LDL), malondialdehyde (MDA), total cholesterol (TC) and apolipoprotein B (ApoB) in comparison with hypercholesterolemic diet. Consumption low-dose vinegar with cholesterolemic diet induced a significant decrease in fibrinogen and glucose compared to hypercholesterolemic diet. Level of serum nitrite, nitrate, triacylglycerol (TAG), HDL-cholesterol (HDL-C), apolipoprotein A (ApoA), serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase (SGPT), serum glutamic oxaloacetate transaminase (SGOT) and C-reactive protein (CRP) were not significantly difference in low and high doses vinegar with cholesterolemic diet compared to hypercholesterolemic diet. A significant difference was observed for LDL-C, ApoB100 and TC between low and high doses vinegar.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>This study suggest that vinegar, might have some acute effects on biochemical risk factors of atherosclerosis and a probable protective value can be considered for its postprandial use.</p

Bacteriorhodopsin and its Mutants allude a breakthrough impending to artificial retina construction and strategies for curing blindness

       Bacteriorhodopsin, a model system in nanobiotechnology, is a light-sensitive protein found in the archaean Halobacterium salinarum and a very identical protein to visual Rhodopsin. The modification of biological function of BR and its versatile properties is valuable for technical applications including the artificial retina. These photoactive elements of native and particular mutants of bacteriorhodopsin make protein films, used in artificial retinal implants, to treat some retinal diseases and disorders. The two major reasons of retinal photoreceptor cell deterioration are Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) and Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP). As in vitro culture of Halobacterium is very difficult, and isolation procedure is much time consuming and usually inefficient, so genetic construction of protein is essential. Here, we have produced two types of bacteriorhodopsin, a native and a mutant BR (D85E) and studied their opto-electric responses with respect to wavelength and absorption properties. They are prerequisite for designing artificial retina (sensors) based on biomolecules. Therefore, the new promising technology soon will conceivably eradicate the blindness

Involvement of the nucleus accumbensshell presynaptic NMDA receptors on anxiolytic-like behaviors induced by NMDA in adult male Wistar rat

     Glutamatergic system stimulationthe nucleus accumbens shell, may affect anxiety-related behaviors, aversive learning and memory. Glutamate receptors are differentially distributed in pre- and postsynaptic sites contributing to neuronal communications.The present study aimed to examine the possible involvement of the NAc shell presynaptic NMDA receptors on NMDA induced responses, using the elevated-plus maze (EPM) task in maleWistar rats. Bilateral guide cannulae were implanted to allow microinjection of glutamatergic agonist (NMDA) or ca+2 channel blocker (SKF96365 hydrochloride) agents. Pretest intra-NAc shell infusion of NMDA induced anxiolytic-like behaviors and impaired the EPM-associated memory upon test and retest, respectively. In addition our findings showed that, the intra-NAc shell infusion of Ca+2 channel blocker at applied doses, does not alter the anxiety-like response and aversive memory upon test and retest, respectively. Furthermore, infusing the subthreshold dose SKF prior to the injection of effective doses of NMDA, reduced the anxiolytic-like response and improved the aversive memory impairment which had already been induced by intra-NAc shell NMDA injection. Our study showed that,inhibition of the neurotransmitter exocytosis from pre-synaptic neuron via Ca+2 channel blockade bySKF96365 decreases affected induced by NMDA in the NAc shell region, indicating the involvement of the pre-synaptic NMDA receptors in NMDA induced responses.Therefore, NMDA's ability to increase anxiolytic-like behaviors and the aversive memory impairment may be the result of an action on pre-synaptic glutamatergic receptors which in turn decrease the glutamate effect at synaptic terminal level

Investigation the UV Effect on Uranium Bioleaching Process in Acidithiobacillus sp FJ2 ‎and its Possible Consequences on the CoxB Gene Sequence ‎

Introduction: The increasing use of uranium as a suitable source of energy in various industries has led to the depletion of high-grade uranium mines in different countries. Today, the uranium bioleaching process has been used in different countries for easy and cheap access to uranium. In this process, microorganisms are used to extract uranium from low-grade mines. Materials and methods: The Acidithiobacillus sp. FJ2 bacterium was exposed to UV radiation. Then, the uranium bioleaching process was conducted in the presence of bacteria exposed to UV and non-exposed bacteria. In followings, this gene was amplified by PCR technique after DNA extraction from bacterial species and coxB gene primer design. Subsequent to gene sequencing and editing with bioedit software, the final sequence of the coxB gene was determined from both bacterial species. Later than, the sequences were examined and compared to prove the presence or absence of the mutation in the radiation sample. Results: The amount of uranium extraction in the presence of bacteria exposed to UV reached to 100% on the second day at the 5% pulp density, whereas the 96.36% extraction yield was obtained on the thirteenth day in pulp density of 50%. This amount was recorded in an unexposed bacterium, in the third and thirteenth days at 5& 50% pulp densities, respectively. The coxB gene sequence was identical in both bacterial specimens. Discussion and conclusion: In this study, UV irradiation to Acidithiobacillus sp. FJ2 increased the rate of uranium bioleaching in the pulp density of 5%, whereas uranium extraction yield was sustained in the 50% pulp density. These effects were independent to the coxB gene

The role of glutamatergic pathway between septum and hippocampus in the memory formation

The N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor is a subtype of glutamate receptor that is presented in highest density in the hippocampus and septum. NMDA receptors of the septum and the hippocampus are involved in cognitive performance, especially in learning and memory processes. The septum nucleus and hippocampal formation are two regions of the limbic system. The septum and the hippocampus are anatomically and functionally connected to each other. These areas made the septo-hippocampal and hippocampo-septal pathways, which are implicated in the cognitive processes. The activity of septal and hippocampal neurons is modulated by several neurotransmitters such as glutamate. Thus, changes in the glutamatergic transmission in the septum and hippocampus may influence learning and memory processes in these pathways

Modulation of lung inflammation and immune markers in asthmatic rats treated by Portulaca oleracea

Objective: Previous studies indicated anti-inflammatory effects for Portulaca oleracea in various inflammatory disorders. In this study, the effects of P. oleracea on bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) levels of total protein (TP), Phospholipase A2(PLA2) and IgE in sensitized rats were examined. Materials and Methods: Male rats were randomly divided into six groups namely, control (group C), sensitized rats (group S), sensitized animal treated with three concentrations of the extract of P. oleracea and dexamethasone (n = 8 for each group). The levels of TP, PLA2 and IgE in BALF were measured. Results:The levels of TP, PLA2and IgE were significantly increased in the BALF of group S compared to group C (pand IgE compared to group S (pand IgE (p Conclusion: The results indicated anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects of P. oleracea in sensitized rats (as an animal model of asthma) which was equal or more marked than dexamethasone at studied concentrations

Induced pluripotent stem cells: Generation methods and a new perspective in COVID-19 research

Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) exhibit an unlimited ability to self-renew and produce various differentiated cell types, thereby creating high hopes for both scientists and patients as a great tool for basic research as well as for regenerative medicine purposes. The availability and safety of iPSCs for therapeutic purposes require safe and highly efficient methods for production of these cells. Different methods have been used to produce iPSCs, each of which has advantages and disadvantages. Studying these methods would be very helpful in developing an easy, safe, and efficient method for the generation of iPSCs. Since iPSCs can be generated from somatic cells, they can be considered as valuable cellular resources available for important research needs and various therapeutic purposes. Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a disease that has endangered numerous human lives worldwide and currently has no definitive cure. Therefore, researchers have been rigorously studying and examining all aspects of COVID-19 and potential treatment modalities and various drugs in order to enable the treatment, control, and prevention of COVID-19. iPSCs have become one of the most attractive and promising tools in this field by providing the ability to study COVID-19 and the effectiveness of drugs on this disease outside the human body. In this study, we discuss the different methods of generation of iPSCs as well as their respective advantages and disadvantages. We also present recent applications of iPSCs in the study and treatment of COVID-19

Restoring the Angiogenic Capacity of the Human Diabetic Adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells Primed with Deferoxamine as a Hypoxia Mimetic Agent: Role of HIF-1α

Purpose: Insufficient angiogenesis is associated with serious diabetic complications. Recently, adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ADScs) are known to be a promising tool causing therapeutic neovascularization. However, the overall therapeutic efficacy of these cells is impaired by diabetes. This study aims to investigate whether in vitro pharmacological priming with deferoxamine, a hypoxia mimetic agent, could restore the angiogenic potential of diabetic human ADSCs. Methods: Diabetic human ADSCs were treated with deferoxamine and compared to normal and nontreated diabetic ADSCs for the expression of hypoxia inducible factor 1-alpha (HIF-1α), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2) and stromal cell-derived factor-1α (SDF-1α), at mRNA and protein levels, using qRT-PCR, western blotting and ELISA assay. Activities of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs)-2 and -9 were measured using a gelatin zymography assay. Angiogenic potentials of conditioned media derived from normal, Deferoxamine treated, and non-treated ADSCs were determined by in vitro scratch assay and also three-dimensional tube formation assay. Results: It is demonstrated that deferoxamine (150 and 300 μM) stabilized HIF-1α in primed diabetic ADSCs. At the concentrations used, deferoxamine did not show any cytotoxic effects. In deferoxamine treated ADSCs, expression of VEGF, SDF-1α, FGF-2 and the activity of MMP-2 and MMP-9 were significantly increased compared to nontreated ADSCs. Moreover, deferoxamine increased the paracrine effects of diabetic ADSCs in promoting endothelial cell migration and tube formation. Conclusion: Deferoxamine might be an effective drug for pharmacological priming of diabetic ADSCs to enhance the expression of proangiogenic factors noted via HIF-1α accumulation. In addition, impaired angiogenic potential of conditioned medium derived from diabetic ADSCs was restored by deferoxamine